Dear Jesters, past, present and future,
A new year, and we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. The first Jester Challenger arrived at Newport Rhode Island in July 2006. Since then we have seen 374 starters in various events and, in five Newport challenges, 17 skippers successfully reach Newport.
JC 2026
We know several potential starters who are preparing themselves and their boats for JC 2026 to Newport Rhode Island. Before long we will be providing more information to skippers, so if you hope to take part but have not yet entered, please let us know via the website contact page.
Future Events
We are often asked about the Jester program for the next few years, we expect to follow the usual pattern, and can now announce the date for Baltimore 2027:
- JC 10 May 2026 Jester Challenge to Newport Rhode Island
- JBC 13 June 2027 Jester Baltimore Challenge
- JAC June 2028 Jester Azores Challenge
- JBC June 2029 Jester Baltimore Challenge
Other News
Bernie is offering to run his course on celestial navigation again; it was enthusiastically received by his last group:
Have you ever considered basic celestial navigation for your offshore passages but are not sure how to make a start? If so I may be able to help. I am planning to run some on-line primer sessions, limited to a few of Jesters, in the New Year. By all means let me know at bernie.branfield@gmail.com if this might be of interest and I will send you an outline of the course.
Happy New Year and fair winds for 2026
The Jester Helm
Jester Challenge 